Weeping and gnashing of teeth, I expected.
The booing, I did not.
Everyone knew the news would be bad. Everyone expected deep cuts. But as Supt. Sue Zurvalec started ticking off the bad news in tonight’s 2010-2011 budget presentation, it became even more clear that our school district is facing a very different, very bleak future.
Start with 160 people losing their jobs, including teachers, custodians, mechanics, media specialists, para professionals – virtually every corner of the district would be touched.
Then let’s talk about eliminating elementary vocal and instrumental music programs. Hiking participation fees for high school and middle school extracurriculars. Eliminating community and adult basic education, reading and behavioral intervention programs. Increasing class sizes to 28 at the high school level, 25 at the middle school level.
The financial situation is dire. For years, state lawmakers have balanced their budget on the shoulders of Michigan school districts. The bulk of school funding comes from property and income tax revenues. And we all know what’s happened to those.
Zurvalec pointed out that the district’s cost of doing business has increased around 5 percent annually, while revenues have dropped 2-3 percent every year. The gap has created shortfalls in previous years, but nothing like what officials face this year.
The difference between expenditures and anticipated revenues for 2010-2011 (which could change when state lawmakers finish their budget at the end of the year) is $20 million.
You can’t shave $20 million. At that level, it’s time to break out the axe.
People can complain about Superintendent Zurvalec’s salary. They can allege wasteful spending at the top – too many consultants, too many assistants.
But we are now past the time when it would make a difference to cut a little here and pinch a little over there. We are at a time when saving even hundreds of thousands of dollars will only put a dent in the deficit.
Now, we’re using words like “destroying” and “dismantling.”
Zurvalec recommended two options to deal with the red ink:
The Orchard Lake Plan from the Facilities Study Team would save $5.5 million annually and avoid future costs of $13.1 million. It would be less disruptive, although two schools would be closed. And it would still leave a shortfall.
A grade reconfiguration plan proposed by district administrators would close four elementary schools and move kids into a K-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12 grade configuration. Annual savings would be $9.8 million, with $21.1 million in costs avoided – more than $30 million in cost savings.
Bottom line, only heart-breaking choices remain. It’s not just moving kids, disrupting them more often than they should have to be. It’s not just an end to neighborhood schools. It’s the end of Farmington Schools, as we’ve all come to know it.
Board members all agreed the option they chose was awful. They also agreed on this: They could not, in good conscience, slash programs and increase class sizes to save buildings.
“It’s more disruptive to me to lose teachers, and it’s more disruptive to me to lose the programs that make our district great,” said Debby Brauer, who introduced the so-called “Option D” motion, which board members unanimously approved.
Parents commented on lack of details in grade reconfiguration report; some presented alternative budget and facilities plans; some questioned the data. And I was pleased to see several students speak in support of TV-10 and theatre programs. In the end, officials pointed out the obvious: the alternative programs focused on saving certain schools over others. Even considering them would have opened a Pandora’s box we’d never again see closed.
Farmington School officials made the right decision. They’ve saved programs, probably some jobs (nothing to sneeze at in this economy). But this is not the end of the fight.
Because if this happens again next year…
Well, I can’t even imagine.
A couple of things bothered me:
1. Livonia School Board members had no business nosing in on our financial crisis. They have one of their own.
2. I happen to have complained loud and long when school board members jacked up the superintendent’s salary years ago. But parents just don’t belong in salary negotiations.
3. Nobody should be tossing out accusations at a public meeting with a cryptic “ask me about this later” comment. It’s irresponsible to publicly insinuate wrong-doing, without having solid proof that it exists.
4. I hate booing. I hate it at sports events, and I hate it even more in public meetings. Shame, shame, shame on those who booed speakers with whom they disagreed and were disruptive when others were speaking. The way we behave teaches our children something, too.
Be sure to check out the full budget presentation, which is posted on the District’s home page (in the Announcements column).
–JH-G
So sad about the news this morning. Need to talk with DS about it before he leaves for the bus at 6:50a to attend the middle school. Wonder how early he’ll have to leave next year?
Also, very worried about the many wonderful staff that we’ve dealt with over the last 6 years at FPS. Will they still have jobs when DD starts school in 2011?
It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today,
I am saddened by what has transpired and am a disheartened by the process by which it took place.
The board indicated that they were taking into consideration the public comment. Yet, the plan that was approved unanimously was the exact plan that 2 of the board members asked the FST about the night of the FST presentation on Jan 26th. It did not appear that one line had been changed either adding or subtracting from it. It may have been clear to others that this would happen, but I believed the board when they said they were hearing us.
That being said, I know I have to be strong and supportive for my children. I am committed to doing that to make the transition as smooth as possible and to stay positive with them.
I did read the letter that was sent out by Sue Zurvalec regarding the board decision and discussed it in a positive way at breakfast with my children on Thursday morning.
They seemed to feel powerless and confused about the situation, but I assured them things would be okay and we will know more in about a month.
On a personal note, I have a 3rd grader and a 5th grader.
With respect to the 5/6 7/8 configuration combined with the facility closures I found the number of transitions to be of great concern and will urge the transition team to take a special care regarding the students currently enrolled in the 3rd grade this school year who will be displaced next year, as well as all students transitioning.
3rd graders who will attend a new school during 2010-2011 school year will transition 4 times within a 6 year time frame.
It seems like only one extra transition, but keep in mind they will be separated from friends/teachers/staff that they have known since Kindergarten for the 1st transition only to move on the following year to a new place with all new teachers/staff and many new students again the following year.
I hear the words “facilities versus programs”. I have several concerns about this. How much will it cost to implement this new plan? My other concern is the FPS enrollment has only decreased by 121 students since 2002. I took the numbers from the FPS website(www.farmington.k12.mi.us/district/enrollment/counts.php)
FPS will be providing programs in a much reduced set of facilities. How will this impact the quality of the programs that are being “saved”? And will the students be over crowded? We will know these anwers better as the transition plans are unveiled, hopefully by the end of March.
Meanwhile, I am anticipating the announcement of which elementary school my children will go to next year and if we will decide to stay in the district.
I am the parent of a 7th-grader, currently at East. I share some of the concerns that other parents have voiced regarding the upcoming changes to our school district. But I am uncomfortable with the tone of some of the criticisms directed at the school board and it’s employees lately.
While I do not wish to ignore nor minimize the strongly held feelings that are shared by a significant number of people in the community, I submit that change of any kind would likely spark controversy, leaving those responsible to make the hard decisions in somewhat of a conundrum.
Regarding the option chosen, and the fact that it evidently did not include remedies suggested by the FST – the possibility exists that these were considered and found to be wanting. The option chosen could very well have been the best overall, even after FST’s report was analyzed. The board is charged with serving the district as a whole, not strictly the groups that shout the loudest.
The issue of transitions should not be afforded the importance some give it. As in the real world, jobs and circumstances change, and although those transitions can be difficult at times, they ultimately create new possibilities and opportunities. Since most children will still be living in the same location regardless of the new school they attend, it certainly is still within reason that friends will be able to socialize, even if they go to different schools. They’ll have the opportunity to make new friends – from their very own community – as well.
No one wants their neighborhood school to close. It can be disruptive and sometimes unsettling. But it is obvious that cuts had to be made somewhere, and it remains to be seen if the option chosen results in the desired effects.
Meanwhile, I’m in favor of giving the board members the benefit of the doubt – at least for now. It’s a tough job with a substantial amount of outside critique. Then, if their efforts do not pan out – let some of the critics run for their jobs – should they be able to muster the courage.
My 11th grader son experienced transition issues. Because of where we live he was separated from the kids he went to grade school with, made new friends in middle school, only to be sent back to high school to the friends he originally started out with. Because they had all gone to school together the whole time, he was kind of the outcast and the result is that he does his work, gets decent grades but has no real friends in high school and participates in nothing.
Will you be writing a story about the SOS rally in Lansing on March 10?
I can’t attend, but I’m part of the SOS-FPS Facebook group and will try to find someone who’ll be willing to share their experiences. I welcome guest writers – commentaries may be sent to info@michiganwomensforum.com